Social Security Pays Billions of Dollars in Retroactive Payments
Reading Time: 1 MinuteLast Updated: March 5, 2025
The Social Security Administration (SSA) today shared its significant progress to quickly implement the Social Security Fairness Act. Through March 4, 2025, SSA has already paid 1,127,723 people more than $7.5 billion in retroactive payments. The retroactive payments are the result of the repeal of the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO). The average retroactive payment so far is $6,710.
“President Trump made it very clear he wanted the Social Security Fairness Act to be implemented as quickly as possible,” said Lee Dudek, Acting Commissioner of Social Security. “We met that challenge head on and are proudly delivering for the American people.”
The WEP and GPO provisions reduced or eliminated the Social Security benefits for over 3.2 million people who receive a pension based on work that was not covered by Social Security (a “non-covered pension”) because they did not pay Social Security taxes.
The agency continues to pay remaining retroactive payments and is ready to begin paying higher monthly benefit payments beginning in April for people’s March benefit.
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Terrence M.
My daughter who is autistic with an intellectual disability is qualified to receive a % of my social security, she has received a monthly payment since Feb 2024, but SSA withheld the last 6 months of 2023 until they can determine if she received SSI, I already reviewed myself, she only received about 155.00, I call every couple of weeks, the rep says under review. am hoping her lump some payment will be coming soon.
Mary
It is inequitable those totally offset due to GPO lose six months of benefits but those already on the rolls who are partially offset have 12 months retro.
Raulito B.
Social security disability owe me and abused me physically and mentally violated my human rights and disability rights. Just to ask everything about my case and bennifits I get the abused and handcuffs but did a wrongdoing term. I done nothing wrong to be treated unfair and I’m disabled already victim and no fault to all injury. But if you can understand my pain on my everyday life. Thank you again for treating me with control and cheat my account something I work hard and long but I try to communicate and still get the bad part.
Frederick L.
Like several others listed here I have yet to receive any rebate. 3 friends who I worked with in the Federal government received direct deposits ranging from $6300 to $7200 dollars the beginning of March. I have no clue as to when or how much my rebate will be.
Tina T.
Still haven’t received any
Kathy J.
I don’t understand why these people are getting this “Fairness Act” benefit money if they didn’t pay into it like the rest of us did. Please explain. Thanks!
Lisa T.
These people have worked outside the Federal Government, as well as for them, but were denied their Social Security money as they were told their pension is more than enough, we are keeping your Social Security money and you don’t get it back. This is to fix that unfairness. My dad was denied his survivorship payments as well when my mother passed away, again being told, you are getting enough, due to windfall elimination provision (WEP) and government pension offset (GPO). They are now allowing him his rightful payment of her social security payments.
Emmitt B.
I worked two Jobs, Full time Firefighter/Paramedic. On my days off I worked as a RN, paying steadily into SSI. Why should I be punished for working hard to provide for my family> We deserve an equal share. Calculated like everyone else. FAIR is FAIR is FAIR
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Dennis M.
Hello,
I received my retroactive payment, and notice reflecting my new monthly benefit beginning in April. The monthly benefit is being reduced from my present amount? Why is that?
S.S.
Hi, Dennis. For security reasons, we do not have access to personal information in this venue. Please call our toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) to discuss your situation. Our National 800 number is available Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Keep in mind, wait times to speak to a representative are typically shorter in the morning, later in the week, and later in the month. We hope this helps.
Grover H.
I received your letter stating I qualify for the catch-up. It said I will receive $6,375 and that you were withholding $2,125 for voluntary federal taxes from it. The full $6,375 has been deposited into my checking account. My question is this amount ($6,375) after taxes were taken out or am I responsible for paying the $2,125 from it. Your letter is very confusing.
S.S.
Hi, Grover. For security reasons, we do not have access to personal information in this venue. Please call our toll-free number at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) to discuss your situation. Our National 800 number is available Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Keep in mind, wait times to speak to a representative are typically shorter in the morning, later in the week, and later in the month. We hope this helps.
Deb R.
SSA only looked at WEP, if they looked at GPO I would receive considerable higher benefits. Now have to call SSA and see how to get my additional benefits. I suspect this will be difficult, hoping for the best outcome.
Wanda A.
Have not received my check, friends have. Are these checks being sent alphabetically. Is there any way I can check on the status of check